"November Rain" from Guns 'N' Roses was playing last night on 93.1 FM in Los Angeles. It bears noting that the station's new "Jack" format has been adopted by at least one competitor -- K-BIG -- previously deemed (by yours truly), a safe alternative to Muzak. Muzak for the caffeine set, suitable for office work. No more.
"Jack" is something else entirely.
I suppose what appeals to me about "November Rain" is its massive coda. The piece ends falsely, and then continues into a good two minutes of a rock bash that sings bravely, heavily, of the need to love. That November rains end is not the ending; the need endures, and the drive continues.
GNR is known for hard rock, for cynicism, for a bit of near-obscene musical savagery that suggest -- no, screams -- sex, if not drugs. Anyone who listens to the group's second wave -- "Use Your Illusion" I & II -- would agree, particularly as to the relatively unplayable tracks. Who invites you to "do it"? Who isn't satisfied with "some pain"?
But GNR is properly credited with depth, and its "November Rain" is often said to be the best of its ballads.
We haven't heard much from Axl and the gang lately; perhaps we never will. But to many, its songs are the soundtrack to life, reminiscent of times gone by.
Music is the fire in which we burn.
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